Will Pond Algae Treatments Hurt My Fish?

05/08/2017

In
our introductory blog post of this series we discussed pond owners being
extremely hesitant to administer pond algae treatments. This is probably the number one reason pond
owners do not treat their pond algae; they are worried about pond algae
treatments killing their fish. We would
be lying if we said there weren’t risks involved, however, we are confident
that you can successfully treat for pond algae and keep your fish safe. The purpose of this blog post is to give pond
owners the confidence to treat their pond algae while still respecting the risks
involved.

Let’s
start with what type of pond our pond algaecides are meant to be used on. Our products are specifically meant for
bodies of water that are measured in acres, not small decorative ponds. There are a couple of species of fish that are
extremely sensitive to copper sulfate, which is the active ingredient in many
pond algaecides. Koi, Goldfish, and
Trout are extremely sensitive to copper sulfate. Ponds with these types of fish should not be
treated with copper based products. The
type of pond that usually contain these types of fish are small decorative
ponds that are measured in gallons not acres.
Trout are the exception… to this rule, but are not typically found in a large
privately owned pond because they require cool, oxygen rich, and clean
water. Many ponds don’t have the water
quality to support Trout.

Pond
algae labels can be intimidating at first glance. Algaecide labels are mandated by the EPA and
can be difficult to read and interpret. These
products are concentrates; in their concentrated form they can be dangerous if
left on skin, ingested, inhaled, or gotten in eyes just like any other
concentrated product in the market. However,
once applied to your pond in the proper dosage and in the right way there are
no restrictions for swimming, fishing, irrigation, or even livestock
consumption!

There
are some basic rules of thumb when it comes to treating your pond. These rules apply to pond treatment when you
are killing a growth not applying pond dye or pond bacteria.

Always treat ½ of your pond at a
time

Wait approximately 10 days between
treatments

Spraying is the most effective
application method

By
following these 3 simple rules you will keep your fish safe and get the most
out of your pond algae treatment. I
encourage you to check out the blog post about Fish Kill. Knowing the some common misconceptions about pond products and fish kill may change your perspective.

Here is what application will look like when
following the 3 rules listed above. Crystal Plex is a liquid algaecide that kills a broader
variety of algae. For a 1 acre pond with an average depth of 4-6 feet mix a
gallon of Crystal Plex with 3-4 gallons of water (the water is just to help you
spread the product) and spray ½ of your pond. Wait 10 days and do the same
application to the other side. Copper Sulfate is a granular algaecide. We recommend diluting copper sulfate in hot
water and spraying. For a 1 acre pond, use 3lbs mixed with 3-4 gallons of water
and spray ½ of the pond. Wait 10 days
and do the same application to the other side.

“Sanco continues to break new ground with the development of new copper technology. The 4 season pond program has helped us teach our dealers how to better educate the end user. Everyone has benefited greatly from this simple approach. The product displays have been fantastic in the continuing education of our customers. “